BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hershiser Says Form Returning

Orel Hershiser might not regain the form he had in 1988, when he won about every honor a pitcher can earn, but he believes he is getting closer to that form.

In 1988, Hershiser won 23 games, including five shutouts in a row to close out the season, then led the Dodgers to victory in the World Series. The fact that Hershiser came back at all from the delicate shoulder surgery he had in 1990 is amazing. Now, at 35, he is once again the leader of the staff.

“I’m getting closer to the old form all the time,” said the pitcher Manager Tom Lasorda calls “Bulldog.” “I keep getting a little better all the time.”

In 1988, he broke Don Drysdale’s scoreless-innings streak, going 59 innings without giving up a run. Then, he went 1-0 in the championship series and was 2-0 in the World Series.

He takes a 3-1 record and an earned-run average of 2.50 into tonight’s game against St. Louis.

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With Delino DeShields on the disabled list and catcher Mike Piazza still battered and bruised from a collision at the plate, the Dodgers are hurting.

“I guess we’re fortunate to still be in first place,” Lasorda said. “Delino seemed just ready to break out.”

Piazza probably will return tonight. He warmed up the pitcher between innings Sunday and appeared to have no trouble throwing.

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Former Dodger Alejandro Pena, on the disabled list all of last season, is making a comeback. He looked sharp in two innings for Pittsburgh on Sunday, striking out four and giving up one hit.